Mastering the Insect Glaive in Monster Hunter Wilds

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With a total of 14 weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds, the Insect Glaive is among the most distinctive options available. This weapon features dual blades on either end, allowing for rapid slashing and thrusting motions to take down formidable monsters. It also enables hunters to leap into the air and command Kensects, special flying creatures, which bestow powerful buffs on your character.

The Insect Glaive excels in aerial mobility and speed, allowing hunters to target specific monster limbs through their Kinsects. This unique weapon makes mounting creatures in Monster Hunter Wilds easier than with many other options. Additionally, the Insect Glaive boasts a more extensive range of combo moves compared to most weapons, meaning you may need to invest more time to master it than simpler tools like the Longsword or Bow.

How to Use Kinsects with the Insect Glaive

The key feature of the Insect Glaive is the Kinsect, a small, flying beetle-like creature attached to the weapon. You can send your Kinsect out to attack monsters at will, targeting various parts of the creatures to deal minor damage. As it strikes, the Kinsect collects Extracts from the monster, returning them to your hunter and providing various advantages.

For this guide, all Insect Glaive controls will be based on a PlayStation controller. For instance, the standard slashing attack is performed with the Triangle button.

A variety of Kinsects can be unlocked with different Insect Glaives, each offering unique buffs from the Extracts they gather. To deploy a Kinsect, use one of the following commands:

Focus Thrust: Leaping Strike (L2 + R1)
Kinsect: Fire (R2 + R1)
Kinsect: Mark Target (R2)
Kinsect: Harvest Extract (R2 + Triangle)

When you use the Mark Target command, the Kinsect will focus its attack on a specific area of a monster. The Kinsect: Fire command helps you aim the Kinsect so it can land hits on the parts of the monster you want to target. Kinsect: Harvest Extract is another method to send your Kinsect out, allowing it to pierce through targets and inflict multiple strikes if charged.

Understanding Kinsect Powder

Whenever your Kinsect attacks a monster, it leaves behind Kinsect Powder, which offers various effects upon striking it. These powder clouds linger on the monsters and can be targeted with your Insect Glaive’s thrusts and slashes. Hitting the powder creates an explosion based on its color. Here are the types of Kinsect Powder effects you can activate by hitting a cloud:

Blast Powder (Orange): Builds up Blast damage for explosive hits.
Poison Powder (Purple): Inflicts Poison damage over time.
Paralysis Powder (Yellow): Causes Paralysis, which may stun the monster.
Recover Powder (Green): Heals a small amount of health.

The type of Kinsect Powder created depends on which part of the monster was targeted, as well as the specific properties of the Kinsect. This allows for unique builds as you craft various Insect Glaives, adding depth to the playstyle of the Insect Glaive.

Extracts and Their Effects

Extracts are substances that your Kinsects extract when they target specific parts of a monster. There are four colors of Extracts, each providing different effects when the Kinsect returns to you. To recall your Kinsect and absorb the Extracts, press R2 + Circle.

There are seven distinct types of Extract effects, resulting from single and combined Extracts. Here are the unique buffs:

Red Extract: Enables your Insect Glaive Circle attacks to charge for additional moves.
White Extract: Boosts movement speed and jump height.
Orange Extract: Negates knockback while wielding your weapon.
Green Extract: Provides a slight health restoration.
Red + White Extract: Enhances your attack power.
White + Orange Extract: Increases your defense.
Red + White + Orange Extract: Modifies certain attacks, decreases wind pressure and tremors, and further boosts your attack strength.

Mastering how to collect and utilize different Extracts during hunts will unlock the full potential of the Insect Glaive. The various colors and their corresponding buffs can be monitored below your health bar, helping you strategize your gameplay.

Mastering Insect Glaive Attacks

The Insect Glaive is not solely about the Kinsects; it also boasts numerous agile attacks and stances that offer aerial movement unmatched by other weapons. Many of the weapon’s attacks can effortlessly chain together, creating a combo effect. Some primary techniques include:

Rising Slash Combo (Triangle)
Wide Sweep (Circle)
Vault (R2 + Triangle)
Charge: Rising Spiral Slash (L2 + Circle when Red Kinsect Extract is active)

Both the Rising Slash and Wide Sweep are fundamental attacks of the Insect Glaive, allowing for quick and effective strikes against monsters. While in Focus Mode, Wide Sweep attacks can also recall Kinsects, helping you gather Extracts more efficiently.

Utilizing the Vault Technique

One standout move of the Insect Glaive is the Vault, a special stance where you thrust the Glaive into the ground and leap into the air. While airborne, you can execute one of three follow-up attacks: Triangle for a forward slash, Circle for a downward strike, or X for extra aerial movement. With a Red Kinsect, these aerial attacks become even more potent.

If you successfully land a follow-up attack after a Vault, you’ll launch into a higher ascension, allowing you to stay airborne for extended durations as long as you keep attacking monsters.

Tips for Mastering the Insect Glaive

To truly excel with the Insect Glaive, it’s essential to recognize the specific parts of monsters that yield desired Kinsect Extracts, which will help you gather buffs more strategically. Additionally, it’s crucial to learn how to manage your movements seamlessly during aerial attacks, as staying airborne without landing actions can leave you vulnerable.

Certain combos, such as the Charge attack with Red Kinsect Extract, can effectively counter enemy strikes, but this requires precise timing. With enough practice against various monsters, you will become adept at utilizing this fast-paced weapon’s potential in Monster Hunter Wilds. The versatility of the Insect Glaive offers a unique playstyle that stands apart from other weapons, allowing for thrilling combat experiences.